What’s Happening

PLEASE DON'T PLANT TREES ON CITY PROPERTY WITHOUT CITY PERMISSION

Given that we recently had a local community member planted some trees in the green space on 20th Ave (Dog Park) and on the boulevard the City has provided the following key point:
Trees and shrubs are regulated under the Street Bylaw and under section 68(6) : No owner or occupant of private property adjacent to a Street shall plant any trees, plants, or shrubbery of any nature on the Boulevard without first obtaining a line assignment and excavation permit from the Director, Roads. – Essentially to plant on a city boulevard you need permission from the Roads Department
All trees planted by Urban Forestry are sourced in accordance with the Clean Plants Program. This insures that the plant material we receive is free from pests and disease. The introduction of unknown trees and shrubs into a greenspace could potentially bring pest or disease that has an overall impact on the urban forest.
Urban Forestry would not be aware of the “ random trees” so they would not be added into our inventory system. Our tree inventory is how we determine maintenance schedules, watering schedules, and regular inspections for health and risk.
Appropriate placement and planting is essential so there is no interference or damage caused to underground utilities. Proper placement also allows maintenance activities such as mowing to remain efficient, and allow enough spacing so machinery and trees are not damaged.

Addition & Renovation Verses New Hall

Mount Pleasant Community Association Community Hall Addition & Renovation Verses New Hall Our Original Community Hall was constructed in 1959 and had the west side added in 1989, so we are dealing with essentially a 60-year-old structure. It has approximately 6500 square feet including the upper and lower halls. If you have had any involvement with the building, you recognize that it is very cut up and dated. About five years ago, during my Presidency, we established a need to renovate and add on to the Hall. We had Conceptual drawings prepared to: add a Board Room; Replace the Washrooms; Add an Office; Add on to and refurbish the Kitchen; Do Upgrades to the Basement; Replace the Furnaces and Rooftop Heating and Cooling Units. We did not have Construction Drawings, so we never gathered formal quotes, but our Committee, who are in the Construction Industry had put together a Best Guess of $1.250.000.00 to do the project. Any of the replacement renovations would be eligible for Provincial and City Grants that would recap either 50% of the costs and in some cases 75% of the costs. Any new construction would not qualify for any Grant Monies. When we went to pass a motion to expend more funds to move this renovation along, we had kick back from some of the newer Board members who did not have any of the background on the original concept. Their concern was investing that much money on an old building, would we not be better to build a completely new building, so I was tasked with putting the costs together to build a new hall where the east parking lot is and then razing the old hall and installing a new parking lot there. With the assistance of Catherine Gulinao, our NPC Officer from the City of Calgary, we went over what is required from the City to get approval for building a new structure as well as putting me in touch with representatives from other CA’s that are currently in the midst of constructing new facilities. With that in mind I will put together the Pros and Cons of both Renovating & Addition verses building a Completely New Hall. Renovation & Addition Pros: -We have the money required to complete this project (with the addition of Grants) in the bank. -It would require very little volunteer input -The Hall has some historical attachment for some long-time community residents. Cons: -We would lose some rental income while the renovations were going on. -We would still have a cut up building that may not have all the facilities to meet the needs of the current community residences. - We will have to spend $1,176,000.00 over the next 25 years (in 2018 $) to maintain the hall and replace worn out equipment. As compiled by Stantec Consulting Inc. -We will still be dealing with a 60-year-old structure. New Hall Pros: -Building will be brand new so we will not have to spend a large amount maintaining the hall for a minimum of 5 years. -Building will be designed to meet the needs of the current community Membership. -We would not lose rental income while the hall was being built. -A new building might give the community a boost and have more involvement with a hall that meets the members needs. Cons: -Costs. We would need to raise between $1.5 and $2.5 million to complete the project, depending on the size and amenities included. -Would make it farther to walk for Sportsplex users who currently park in the east lot. Now that you have some of the background to this issue we are asking all Community Residence to fill out a Questionnaire, that was compiled by our Community Member Jack Lucas, so we can gauge the Communities feeling about Renovation Verses New and to see if we can get a consensus of how the majority of the Community wants to proceed. We would ask that you take the survey online,
http://bit.ly/2RZWPsU
or if you do not have computer access please call the Hall Manager, Nickie @ 403-282-1314, on Tuesdays and Thursdays and we will deliver a copy to your door. On behalf of MPCA I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to read this as well as doing the survey, so we know where to guide the CA in the coming years. Yours, Murray Anderson, Past President and Hall Director -

Mount Pleasant Planning, Transportation & Land Use Blog

Click on the Land and Planning Info tab on the main page

MPCA Adults Game Day

Except the forth Wednesday of the month
We all need a break at least once a week to relax and chat with other adults. Join us every Wednesday afternoon from 1:15 to 3:15 in the Upper Hall, 602 22 Ave. NW for games of your choice. Our games are for fun only – we're not overly competitive and we do like to enjoy some conversation while we play.
There are lots of options to choose from:
bridge
Scrabble
crib
euchre
dominoes
indoor badminton (if you'd like to get moving)
In summer, we can go outside for bocce and horseshoes. Of course, we're eager to learn other games. If you would like to introduce one to the group, please bring any supplies needed and teach us the basics.
We'll supply the coffee, tea, and water. If you'd like to bring a donation for the Food Bank, we'll add it to MPCA's food drive boxes.
If you have any questions or would like to join us, please contact Linda at lohanlon@telus.net or (403) 289-8390.